The New Orleans Pelicans are showcasing their dominance on the road, boasting an impressive streak of three consecutive victories away from home. Their recent success extends to winning six out of their last seven road games, marking a significant improvement compared to their performance last season. With a road record standing at 18-12, the Pelicans have already secured three more road wins than they achieved throughout the entirety of the previous season, with 11 more road games left to play.
In their latest triumph, the Pelicans triumphed over the New York Knicks with a convincing 115-92 victory at Madison Square Garden. Despite holding just a narrow one-point lead over the shorthanded Knicks at halftime, the Pelicans dominated the second half, outscoring New York 67-45 to secure the win.
Trey Murphy III, stepping up in the absence of CJ McCollum due to an ankle injury, delivered an outstanding performance, notching a game-high 26 points and tying his season-best mark by sinking six 3-pointers. Murphy’s offensive prowess was particularly evident in the fourth quarter, where he contributed 16 points.
Pelicans coach Willie Green praised Murphy’s impact, highlighting his ability to make crucial shots that disrupt opponents’ defensive strategies. Murphy’s shot-making prowess not only creates scoring opportunities for himself but also opens up space for teammates like leading scorer Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
The Indiana Pacers, on the other hand, saw their three-game winning streak come to an end with a 130-122 loss at home to the Toronto Raptors. Despite a commendable effort from Bennedict Mathurin, who matched his career-high with 34 points, the Pacers struggled defensively and couldn’t contain the Raptors’ offense.
Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton had an off night, managing just nine points while shooting 2 of 11 from the field and 1 of 6 from beyond the arc. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged Toronto’s defensive focus on Haliburton but also emphasized the need for improvement in their overall performance.
Although Mathurin’s exceptional shooting kept the Pacers competitive, especially in the third quarter, where he made significant contributions, Indiana ultimately fell short due to their defensive lapses. The Raptors capitalized on opportunities inside the paint, outscoring the Pacers 78-50 in points in the paint.
Carlisle expressed disappointment with his team’s defensive shortcomings and emphasized the need to bounce back from the loss. The Pacers will have an opportunity for redemption as they face the Pelicans once again on Friday night in New Orleans, concluding their two-game season series.
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